Lauding inclusion of provisions for rescue and rehabilitation of animals in the country's first National Disaster Management Plan, an animal rights body today asked states to include similar provisions in state disaster management plans to safeguard welfare of more animals in emergencies.
World Animal Protection (WAP) India said the inclusion will help in better protection of millions of animals during disasters and will offer a lifeline to animals and people who rely on them for their livelihoods across India.
India's first NDMP was released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently.
"We are delighted the government is supportive of achieving milestones for animals in disasters. We are now requesting state governments to include animals in their respective state disaster management plans to safeguard the welfare of more animals in emergencies," said Gajender Sharma, Country Director, WAP India.
He said the body's partnership with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has seen recommendations on animal protection and welfare, including building resilience for the safety, evacuation and rehabilitation of animals, provision of food and fodder, and focus on disaster training, included in the national plan.
NDMA and the government recognise the need to protect animals in disasters and the inclusion of animals in the national plan is key step forward, Sharma said.
"India is now one of the leading nations to include the rescue, relief and rehabilitation of animals during disasters in their national disaster management plan protecting animals not only protects livelihoods, but is our moral responsibility," WAP India quoted Member of NDMA R K Jain as saying in a statement.
The perspective of animals covered in the National Disaster Management Plan includes search, rescue and evacuation of people and animals, preparing manuals for evacuation of people and animals, detailed plans for close coordination with the state government for managing the removal of carcass of animals from the affected areas.
It also includes rehabilitation and ensuring safety of livestock and other animals, provision of fodder for livestock in scarcity-hit areas, enlisting PSUs and private agencies for providing fodder and other support amongst others, the statement said.
